Of course you didn't say those exact words but I fail to see your point if you don't think the Pats are cheaters and are motivated to do so because it gives them a completive edge in some way, thus... "the Pats win because they cheat."
I'm not a Pats fan, far from it. Spygate was a terrible incident in NFL history. The Pats earned every bit of the punishment they received and more. That singular incident put their success in question in my mind and has forever left a stain on the NFL shield. That said, I believe in second chances and forgiveness. I respect what the Pats have accomplished during the 2014 season. I don't contribute that success to any cheating on their behalf. Gronk is a beast and Brady is an excellent QB. "Bellicheat" is a jerk, IMHO... but he has a brilliant football mind.
"Deflategate" as it has come to be known, INHO is a manifestation of a media engine mostly drive from NYC. Something happened but I see no smoking gun that definitively points the Pats way. If they are the guilty party, I would think it would be done to help them but in the game in question, that doesn't seem to be the case. The half of the game that was tainted by deflated footballs did not result in the Pats huge lead... no that did not happen until the second half of the game. We all know that half of football was played with NFL regulation sanctioned footballs thus making it a legit win. They are the undisputable 2014-15 AFC Champions IMHO, until it is proven this "deflategate" is more than just hot air.
There are 2 separate issues and you seem to be combining the 2. If the Pats cheated, they cheated and broke the rules which exist for a reason. That is 1 issue. The other issue is whether or not it impacted the outcome of the game. Two separate issues. And if the Pats cheated, whether or not it affected the out come of the game or not its till cheating.
The cheating is an isolated issue. If the Pats cheated then they deserve whatever consequences come as a result. The outcome or effect on the game is irrelevant. A rule was broken. Rules exist for a reason and in the case of a sports league they exist to insure/create a fair and level playing field for competition.
I did not say the Pats won the game BECAUSE they cheated. The fact is they cheated, as it is reported. So why would they cheat? Intent is important. Why does anybody cheat on anything? Because they think it helps them in some way. Whether or not it does actually help is irrelevant. The fact is they cheated and they did it trying to gain an advantage that the NFL has ruled is an illegal advantage. The Pats were trying to gain an advantage outside of the rules rather than within the rules of fair play.
If we say, well they would have won anyway so its no big deal, we are taking the wrong approach. Following rules is one of the fundamental aspects of fair and level competition in sports. All cheating should have consequences so it serves as a deterrent for future cheating. It not only sends the right message but it establishes the fact that the rules are important and meant to be taken seriously. Not just for the Patsies, but for all 32 teams, and the fans as well.
The NFL has a real image problem right now. And that image problem comes from inconsistencies in how they regulate their sport when it comes to dealing with those who break the rules, on and off of the field. The image is so bad that even casual fans, and even non fans, know its bad. And it is a direct result of not maintaining a standard based on what is right and wrong. If this defating cheating issue is just blown off, the NFL just makes themselves look bad. The integrity of the league is already questioned by many. Its time they do something to restore some integrity and this deflating issue is a good starting point.
The rules exist for a reason. Teams will try to gain any advantage they can. The league has to maintain a fair and level playing field. Listen to what a former official has to say about it.
Even former players know its an issue.
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